| vykkagur |
| (.300 member) |
| 11/03/20 01:14 PM |
Re: 'Cursed Gun' - Life Magazine article 1965
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Quote:
According to Wikipedia:
The rifle and the pistol are now kept in a secure location within the National Archives and Records Administration Building in College Park, Maryland. A replica of the rifle is on display at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas by the stairs where detectives found the original rifle.
The Wikipedia piece makes a good read, and ties up the loose ends that were left dangling by the 1965 article. In particular, it straightens out the misrepresentation of oilman John King, who Life portrayed as some sort of high-minded philanthropist trying to purchase the rifle for noble reasons. His $5 million lawsuit against the government (apparently it takes a lot of money to maintain high-mindedness, and oilmen are such an impecunious lot) was more or less laughed out of court.
Believe it or not, there's quite a community online for people creating replicas of the Kennedy rifle. Working examples of the el cheapo scope have been advertised for over $600, roughly a hundred times what they cost new back at the time. Prices on the correct Weaver side mount are equally eye-watering.